This Child Is Mine

by Mildred Colvin

  Chapter Five

  Beth glanced back at Stevie and saw she was asleep. It wouldn’t hurt to leave her in the car while she got rid of Mr. McDuff. She climbed from her car and closed the door with a soft click. She could feel his gaze on her as she stepped across the yard to the porch.

  “I told you last night—”

  “I know what you said last night, Mrs. Carter. However, I need to talk to you about something important.”

  He stood, forcing her to step up on the porch so she didn’t feel intimidated by his superior height. “Mr. McDuff, Stevie is my daughter and I will not give her to you.”

  A faint smile touched his lips before he spoke.

  “As much as I’d like for that to happen, I realize now it isn’t going to. Is Stevie in the car?”

  “Yes, she’s asleep.”

  “Shouldn’t she be in bed?”

  Beth bristled at what she considered criticism from a man who had no right to criticize anything she did. “Of course, she should be in bed. And she will be just as soon as you leave so I can get her there.”

  A ragged sigh tore from Jon’s throat. He shook his head. “I suppose I deserve that. Would it help if I told you again I’m sorry I offered to adopt Stevie? I misjudged you, and you can’t imagine how awful I feel about it. Please, may I come inside where we can talk? I promise I won’t stay long.”

  He had no intention of leaving until he had his say. She could force him to talk on the porch, but she didn’t want to leave Stevie in the car that long. Besides, the porch was so dark she couldn’t read the expression in his eyes.

  “All right. I’ll get Stevie.” She sorted through the ring of keys she still held in her hand. “Here is the key to the front door. Would you mind unlocking it for me?”

  Beth left Jonathan in the living room while she put Stevie to bed. When she came back, he stood. She sat in a swivel rocker across the room from him, and he sat back down on the couch. So chivalry was not dead. Beth tried to think of any other man who stood when she entered a room and drew a blank. Steven had never been one to open doors and such for her, but she had always attributed that to his illness. Most of the time he didn’t feel well, and she had naturally stepped into the role of caregiver. It was refreshing to be treated with such respect. Mr. McDuff made her feel more feminine than she had in a long time.

  “Would you like anything, Mr. McDuff? I have coffee or hot chocolate.”

  “If it’s no trouble, hot chocolate sounds good.”

  “No trouble at all.”

  Jonathan stood when Beth did. He also followed her to the kitchen.

  He leaned against the doorframe and watched her fix two cups of hot chocolate. When she set the steaming mugs on the table, he pulled a chair out for her and then sat across from her. He spoke first.

  “I’ve done a lot of thinking since last night. We aren’t enemies—or shouldn’t be.” He smiled, letting the dimple so like Stevie’s deepen. “Would you be interested, Mrs. Carter, in having both babies in your care?”

  Beth choked on her drink. She grabbed a tissue from the box on the table and covered her mouth. Whatever was this man talking about? Last night he wanted to take Stevie from her. Was he now offering to give Lexie to her? She knew her face mirrored her shock when he held up a hand and shook his head.

  “Don’t worry, I’m not about to give my daughter away. I’m offering you a job caring for both our girls in my house. I’ll pay you a salary plus give you and Stevie room and board.”

  Beth’s eyes narrowed and she shook her head. “You would create a job for me just so you can have Stevie in your home?”

  Jonathan’s eyebrows lifted and his gaze grew intense. “Yes, I would if I had to. But the job is very real. At the moment, my housekeeper watches Lexie while I work. She keeps the house clean, cooks the meals, and baby-sits my daughter. Don’t you think she has more than enough to do?”

  Beth laughed as much from nerves as from the humor in his question. “Of course she does, and I’m sure any housewife would tell you the same.”

  Jonathan stared at her a moment before he laughed.

  Beth absorbed his laughter, letting the rich male sound surround her. Steven had seldom laughed. His dimple didn’t bother her so much this time and that surprised her.

  “Mrs. Garrett is an employee, and as such she shouldn’t be expected to work twenty-four hours a day.”

  “I’m sure that’s true.” Beth took another sip of her hot chocolate. Did he really want her to live in his house and care for both her daughters as her own? The entire concept was a little too much like a dream come true to be real. Surely there was a catch somewhere. She set her cup down and looked up into his eyes. Bingo.

  The biggest obstacle sat across the table from her. Mr. McDuff would be there every day interfering with Stevie and Lexie. As her employer he would have the right to insist she do things his way, raise her daughters—his daughters—the way he wanted. Could she give up her freedom for Lexie? For the daughter she had yet to see?

  “You’ll have your own room upstairs next to the nursery. If you have no objections, we can let the girls room together. I’ll be downstairs. There’s a bedroom just off my den. Mrs. Garrett has always slept upstairs near the girls.”

  No doubt the sleeping arrangements in the McDuff house would be quickly shuffled if she accepted his offer. She stirred her hot chocolate, keeping her gaze away from him. Even with another woman there all the time, how could she live in the same house with a man who posed so great a threat to Stevie? Yet, how could she turn away from the only chance she would likely ever get to raise both her daughters—to be with them every day and to watch them grow?

  “I’ll match the income you get here, in your daycare.”

  Beth lifted her gaze as Jonathan glanced around her kitchen. Apparently not missing anything, he looked from the dishes still draining by the sink to the small tables and benches in the corner. He looked up at Stevie’s painting hanging by the clothespin above the tables. His gaze locked on it and he stood. Two steps took him to the painting. He lifted the curled edge and a faint smile touched his lips.

  “Stevie did this, didn’t she?”

  Beth nodded. “The other kids took theirs home. I usually put her art work on the refrigerator for a few days before I put it away.”

  When he turned and looked at her, Beth saw the haunted look in his eyes and knew what he would ask.

  “Would you miss just this one if I took it? You must have dozens like it.”

  What can you give me of Lexie’s? Beth couldn’t say the words. As much as she wanted to be spiteful and mean to him, she couldn’t. Jonathan McDuff was Stevie’s birthfather. Without him she would have never known and loved Stevie. Now he was offering her the chance to establish a relationship with Lexie as well. Whatever her job title, she would be able to fulfill the role of mother with both babies.

  She met Jon’s gaze. “Yes, you may take it with you. You’re right. I do have several more.”

  His quick smile brought warmth to her heart. She found herself smiling back even as she wondered if Jonathan McDuff always got what he wanted.

  He returned to the table and, still standing, finished his drink. “I should be going. I didn’t expect an answer to my offer tonight. Why don’t you think about it this next week? I’m leaving in the morning for the city, but I’ll be back Saturday morning to take you and Stevie home with me for the weekend. That is, if you’ll go?”

  Beth stared at him, then slowly shook her head. “Do you ever slow down? I feel like I’m on a merry-go-round that won’t stop spinning. It’s been the same way ever since I opened the door last night and found you on the other side.”

  “Does that mean I can expect you to be ready when I get here Saturday?” Jonathan’s grin had Beth laughing when she should have felt anger instead.

  “Are you giving me a tour of the house before I decide to move?”

  Jon nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I expect you to enjoy the weekend. Did I ment
ion that if you should accept the job, your only required chores will be the care of the girls?” He indicated the dishes in the drainer. “No cleaning, cooking, or dishes to do.”

  Beth sobered. “That sounds wonderful, but I’m sure you know the only reason I will accept. I want Lexie in my arms just as much as you want Stevie in your possession.”

  The expression on Jonathan’s face hardened and his voice sounded cold. “Would it be too much trouble for me to tell Stevie goodbye on my way out the door?”

  “She’s asleep.” Beth shrank from the change in his attitude.

  “I won’t wake her. I just want to see her once more before I leave.”

  Beth shrugged. “All right. I suppose it won’t hurt anything.”

  Jon turned toward Stevie’s bedroom and Beth followed. She stood in the doorway while he lowered the side of Stevie’s baby bed without making a sound. He bent over and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

  When he remained motionless, looking down at the sleeping baby in the soft glow of the nightlight, Beth wondered if he found it hard to say goodbye to the daughter he’d just found. Although he hadn’t interacted much with Stevie, he’d watched her the few times they were together. Now he seemed reluctant to leave. Maybe Jonathan McDuff hurt inside just as much as she did.

  Before he left, Beth stopped him in the living room. “Will you have Lexie tested for diabetes?”

  He frowned. “Why?”

  “Her father was diabetic as a child. He died from complications of the disease. It can be hereditary. The test is a simple blood test.

  Jonathan was silent so long, Beth thought he would brush her concerns aside. When he nodded, she released the breath she’d been holding. “All right, I will. As soon as possible.”

  Beth closed the door behind him and headed for the telephone. She realized how late it was as she punched in her friend’s phone number and hoped Lori hadn’t gone to bed. A nervous excitement stirred within Beth as she waited for Lori to answer.

  So much had happened in her life recently. But nothing compared with the thought of seeing and holding her own baby for the first time.

  When Lori’s voice came on the line, Beth told her all about Jon’s visit and his invitation for the weekend.

  “Are you going?”

  Beth laughed. “What do you think? Do you think I would miss the chance to see Lexie?”

  Lori laughed. “No, I don’t.” Her voice grew soft. “I’ll miss you, Beth. You and Stevie both.”

  “We’ll just be gone until Sunday evening.”

  “No, I mean afterward. Within the month, you’ll be living in Kansas City. I want you to know, I’d do the same thing if I were in your place.”

  “Lori, I haven’t made up my mind.”

  “Haven’t you really, Beth?”

  Lori was right. How could she refuse Jonathan’s offer? She would make the same income, but without the expense of running a daycare. Surely taking care of two little girls would be easier than putting up with Jackie Helm—not to mention caring for up to ten children every day. But none of that mattered, really. What did matter was that she would be with both her children.

  She laughed aloud. “Do you know what’s funny, Lori?”

  “No, what’s that?”

  “Jonathan McDuff has offered me a cushy job with good pay when I’d be willing to pay him for the privilege of having both babies in my care twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.”

  Chapter Six

  Beth woke the next Saturday with nervous fluttering in her stomach. She glanced at the bedside clock and groaned. Mr. McDuff would arrive in less than two hours. How could she have slept so late? She pushed the tangled covers aside and climbed from bed. No doubt the restless night she’d just spent trying to visualize her baby might have something to do with it. Would Lexie look like her or Steven? From the pictures she’d seen, she had his blond hair. But her eyes were blue—like Beth’s.

  Beth grabbed a pair of black slacks and a blue checked blouse from the closet, some underwear from the drawer, then headed for the shower. If she hurried, she might get in a shower before Stevie demanded her attention.

  Two hours later, Beth had Stevie fed and dressed in jeans and long-sleeved T-shirt. Her baby-fine hair was just long enough to put up in matching pigtails secured with blue ribbons to match her shirt.

  Although she’d been looking for the silver SUV each time she went near a window, Beth jumped when her doorbell rang. Somehow, she’d missed the sound of either the motor or a car door closing.

  When she opened the door, Jonathan smiled. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Go bye-bye.” Stevie toddled toward him with her arms up.

  He laughed and crouched down to the baby’s level. With a quick glance toward Beth, he scooped Stevie up and held her close before standing with her in his arms.

  “You sound like Lexie. She loves to go bye-bye, too.”

  Stevie turned toward Beth, one arm reaching, her fingers motioning for her to come. “Bye-bye, Mama.”

  Beth’s heart had almost stopped when Stevie went to Jonathan so easily. Now the blood rushed back into her face, and she was able to move. Everything they needed for the weekend was packed and sitting by the door. She picked up the diaper bag and her purse and reached for the overnight bags when Jonathan stopped her.

  “Here, let me get those.”

  “But Stevie. . .”

  The smile he flashed weakened her resolve. “I can carry Stevie and a couple of bags. Don’t worry, Mrs. Carter, I’m used to it. I have a good hold on our little sweetheart. I won’t drop her.”

  Our little sweetheart? Beth wasn’t sure she liked being linked together with Mr. McDuff. Even the common bond they had in their two children hadn’t warned her that the two of them would be brought close. If she moved into the same house with him, they would at the very least occasionally bump into each other. She should have thought of this before.

  Beth followed Jonathan and Stevie to the car, and for the first time since she’d met him, she looked at him as a man. He wore designer jeans and a lightweight jacket over his polo shirt. The description “tall, dark, and handsome” fit him perfectly. Probably in his early thirties, with thick dark brown hair and a lean body build, Jonathan McDuff would turn the heads of most women.

  He kept Stevie sitting in the crook of his arm and set the bags on the top of his automobile while he opened the door. He lowered Stevie into the car seat and gave her a quick kiss on the top of her head, earning a dimpled grin in the process.

  Beth noticed the pleased look on his face when he reached for the bags to put them in back. She stuck the diaper bag on the floor in front of Stevie where it would be handy before settling in the front passenger seat.

  As Jonathan scooted behind the wheel, he smiled at her. “I thought you might like to know that Lexie tested negative for diabetes.”

  “Oh, yes!” Beth closed her eyes and breathed a silent prayer of thanksgiving.

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to pray before we go.” Jonathan stared out the windshield. “Since my wife’s death, I’ve made a habit of praying before I start anywhere.”

  Beth looked at him in surprise and nodded. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. Actually, everyone should do the same.”

  “Thanks for understanding.” Jonathan bowed his head and Beth followed suit.

  As they got on the way, Stevie played with her sippy cup and the few toys Beth had brought. Beth leaned her head against the seat back and tried to relax. Jonathan’s classical music soothed her jangled nerves, and she wondered how he managed to stay awake and drive. The three hour drive to the city seemed to take forever, yet as traffic increased and Beth saw the Harrisonville city limits sign, she wished for more time.

  “Do we need to stop for anything?” Jonathan’s voice startled her and she straightened.

  “Actually, a diaper check might be in order.” Beth glanced back at Stevie who appeared to be wide awake and interested in the new sights
outside her window.

  Jonathan nodded and took the exit. “Yes, I can imagine. Can you change her in here or do I need to find something more convenient? The station ahead looks like a good place to stop.”

  “Any place is fine. I can change her on my lap if I need to.”

  Jonathan shot a doubtful look Beth’s way before he turned off the highway and stopped to the side of the service station parking lot. “Will this be all right?”

  Beth nodded. “Yes, it’s fine. Thank you.”

  “Good. I’ll see what I can find inside. What would you like to drink?”

  Beth hesitated, not willing to take anything from him. Then she mentally shrugged. If she was going to work for him, what would it hurt to accept a soft drink? “A root beer would be fine.”

  Within minutes they were back on the road going ever deeper into the city. Beth recognized a few landmarks from her childhood, but for the most part she felt as if she were in a completely different world. She’d grown up in Blue Springs, a community separated from the municipality that made up greater Kansas City. She realized from her stay with her parents one and a half years ago that the city was rapidly surrounding Blue Springs as well, and she regretted the loss of her hometown’s small community feel.

  She thought of Bolivar. She would miss the quiet and peaceful life she’d lived there. She watched vehicles zoom past in the opposite lanes. The ones headed the same direction they traveled reminded her of horses in a race. A car drove alongside them taking the lead one minute and falling back the next. She might never get used to the rush of the city. Did she even want to? For the baby waiting for her in Jonathan’s house she would adjust. Yes, she could put up with almost anything if only she could hold her baby in her arms and watch her grow to womanhood.

  By the time Jonathan turned off the four-lane highway and drove into the slower pace of a residential area, Beth could scarcely sit still. When they entered a well-kept neighborhood with large beautiful houses centered in spacious green lawns, Beth knew they were nearing the McDuff house. Jonathan pulled into a drive and stopped behind a dark forest green van.